Most bathrooms are lit from a single ceiling fitting, which sits behind you and throws your face into shadow at the mirror. That is why shaving, makeup and anything requiring a close look are harder than they should be. Vanity lighting puts light on your face instead of on the back of your head, and it is the change people notice most after a bathroom update.

Choosing the Right Vanity Lighting

Placement matters more than the fitting. Lights either side of the mirror at roughly eye level give the most even, shadow free result, since light comes from both sides rather than from above. A single bar above the mirror is the more common arrangement and still far better than a ceiling light alone, provided it is wide enough, ideally around two thirds the width of the mirror. Colour temperature is the other decision. Neutral white around 4000K shows skin tone accurately, which is what you want for makeup and grooming, while warmer light around 3000K feels more relaxed but shifts colours slightly. Check the IP rating for the position, since a fitting near a shower has different requirements to one across the room.

Key Things to Look for in Vanity Lighting

• IP rating: the moisture protection rating, which must suit the zone it is installed in.
• Colour temperature: around 4000K neutral for accurate skin tone, 3000K for a warmer feel.
• Colour rendering: a higher CRI shows colours truly, which matters at a mirror.
• Width: an over mirror bar sized to around two thirds the mirror width.
• Diffused light: a frosted or opal cover rather than exposed bulbs, to avoid harsh glare.
• Dimming: full brightness in the morning, lower at night.
• Finish: matched to your tapware, whether that is matt black, chrome, nickel or brass tone.

What You Will Find in This Collection

Vanity lighting for above and beside the mirror, including LED bars, wall lights and fittings rated for bathroom use. If you would rather have the light built into the mirror itself, our bathroom mirrors range includes LED mirrors and lit mirror cabinets, which is often the simpler option in an existing bathroom.

Styles to Suit Your Space

Carry the finish through from your tapware and the room reads as designed rather than assembled. Matt black suits a contemporary fit out, brushed nickel and chrome are the safest all rounders, and brass tones warm up a Hamptons or timber heavy scheme. Match it back to our tapware and mixers range and to the handles on your vanity.

Ordering with Allure Home Collections

Everything ships from our Australian warehouse with fast local delivery and honest pricing, with no inflated recommended retail prices to discount against. If you are not sure which fitting suits your mirror width or where it can safely go in your bathroom, get in touch before you order. From our family to yours.

Vanity Lighting Questions, Answered

Do I need an electrician?

Yes. Installing a hardwired light is licensed electrical work in Australia, and bathrooms carry additional zone rules that govern what can be installed at what distance from the bath, shower and basin. A licensed electrician will confirm the fitting suits the position before installing it.

What is an IP rating and which do I need?

IP stands for ingress protection, rating how well a fitting resists dust and water. Bathrooms are divided into zones by proximity to water, and each zone has a minimum requirement. A light above a vanity across the room needs less protection than one near a shower. Your electrician will confirm what the position requires.

Above the mirror or either side?

Either side is better, because light coming from both directions at roughly eye level fills in shadows under the eyes, nose and chin. Above is more common and still a big improvement on a ceiling light alone. What does not work is relying on a downlight behind you.

What colour temperature should I choose?

Around 4000K neutral white is the most accurate for skin tone, which is what you want for makeup and shaving. Around 3000K is warmer and more relaxing but shifts how colours read. If the bathroom is also where you unwind, a dimmable fitting gives you both.

How wide should an over mirror light be?

Around two thirds the width of the mirror is a good guide. Too narrow and the light pools in the centre while the edges stay dim. Mount it far enough above that it clears the mirror without shining into your eyes when you stand at the basin.

Is a lit mirror easier than separate lights?

Often, yes. An LED mirror combines the mirror and the lighting in one fitting, so there is one thing to install rather than two, and the light is already positioned correctly. Separate fittings give you more control over the look and are the better choice if you already have a mirror you like.

Can I add vanity lighting without rewiring?

It depends what is already in the wall. If there is a point above the mirror, fitting a bar there is simple. Adding lights either side usually means running new cable, which involves opening the wall and possibly retiling. An electrician can tell you quickly which situation you are in.

Should the light match my tapware?

Carrying one metal finish across tapware, light fittings and handles is what makes a bathroom look intentional. It is the cheapest way to pull a room together. If you do mix, keep the logic clear rather than having three finishes that nearly match.

Can vanity lights be dimmed?

Some can, but LED fittings need a compatible dimmer, and pairing the wrong one causes flicker or buzzing. Check the listing for dimmable compatibility and tell your electrician, since the dimmer usually has to be matched to the fitting rather than the other way round.

How do I clean bathroom light fittings?

Switch the light off and let it cool, then wipe with a barely damp soft cloth. Diffusers collect dust and hairspray residue, which dims the light noticeably over time. Avoid abrasives and solvents, particularly on matt black and brushed finishes.